Off-folded absorbent sheet products interfoldable in a stack for dispensement from a dispenser

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of off-folded absorbent sheet products (e.g., paper napkins, etc.) that are interfoldable or interfolded in a stack for dispensement from a dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2013/033569 filed Mar. 22, 2013 (published asWO2013/162803 on Oct. 31, 2013), which, in turn, claimed priority to andbenefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/639,193 filed Apr.27, 2012. The entire disclosures of the applications identified in thisparagraph are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to off-folded absorbent sheet products(e.g., paper napkins, etc.), which are interfoldable or interfolded in astack for dispensement from a dispenser.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Generally, napkins are pieces of doth or absorbent paper that aretypically at a table to protect the clothes and/or wipe the lips andfingers of the user. Paper napkins are commonly loaded into a dispenserfor removal by users.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of off-folded absorbent sheetproducts (e.g., paper napkins, etc.) that are interfoldable orinterfolded in a stack for dispensement from a dispenser.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an off-folded napkin shown in anopen or unfolded configuration;

FIG. 2 shows the off-folded napkin of FIG. 1 in a partially foldedconfiguration in which the napkin is folded along one of its two foldsand also illustrating the napkin's off-fold between the edges of thefront and back parts;

FIG. 3 shows the off-folded napkin of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a fully folded,closed position in which the napkin is folded along both folds;

FIG. 4 shows a stack of interfolded napkins in which the napkins have anoff-fold as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a dispenser loaded with a stack of interfolded napkins asshown in FIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of an off-folded napkin with a tapemeasure illustrating an exemplary dimension of one-half inch for thenapkin's off-fold.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

With reference now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate anexemplary embodiment of an off-folded napkin 100 embodying one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, theoff-folded napkin 100 includes an off-fold 102 between the oppositeedges 112, 116 of the front and back parts. The front portion or part ofthe napkin 100 shown on top in FIG. 2 is shorter than the back portionor part of the napkin 100 on the bottom.

By way of example, the napkin 100 may be configured such that theoff-fold 102 is about one-half inch such that the off-fold 102 is eitherexactly one-half inch or about one-half inch where the difference aboveor below one-half inch is within manufacturing tolerances. By way offurther example, the napkin 100 may be configured such that the off-fold102 is about one centimeter such that the off-fold 102 is either exactlyone centimeter or about one centimeter where the difference above orbelow one centimeter is within manufacturing tolerances. As yet anotherexample, the napkin 100 may be configured such that the off-fold 102falls within a range from about four-tenths of an inch to aboutsix-tenths of an inch, etc.

The inventor hereof has recognized that purposefully and controllablyproviding a sufficiently large off-fold 102 (e.g., one-half inch, onecentimeter, within a range from four-tenths of an inch to six-tenths ofan inch, etc.) allows a user to more easily grasp and separate theopposing front and back parts of the napkin 100 at the off-fold 102.This, in turn, allows the user to more easily open the napkin 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 100 is single ply and foldable aboutfirst and second folds 104, 108. The first and second folds 104, 108 aregenerally perpendicular to each other. For example, the first and secondfolds 104, 108 may be perpendicular. Or, the first and second folds 104,108 may be close to perpendicular with the variance falling withinmanufacturing tolerances.

The first fold 104 extends in a first linear direction between a firstpair of opposite edges 120, 124 of the napkin 100. The first fold 104may also be generally referred to as longitudinal fold or interfold thatextends longitudinally in a machine direction as described hereinafter.The second fold 108 extends in a second linear direction generallyperpendicular to the first linear direction. The second fold 108 extendsbetween a second pair of opposite edges 112, 116 of the napkin 100. Thesecond fold 108 may also be generally referred to as a cross folddescribed hereinafter. The napkin 100 is thus foldable twice(cross-folded or quarter folded) once about each of the two generallyperpendicular axes or folds 104, 108. For example, the napkin 100 mayfirst be foldable about the first fold 104 into a single-foldedconfiguration with the off-fold 102 between the first pair of oppositeedges 112, 116, and thereafter foldable about the second fold 108 into aquarter-folded or cross-folded configuration having the off-fold 102between the first pair of opposite edges.

The napkin 100 includes four panels or parts 128, 132, 136, and 140cooperatively defined by the first and second folds 104, 108. The napkin100 is configured such that the first and second folds 104, 108 do notbisect the napkin 100 into four equal parts. In this exemplaryembodiment, the first fold 104 is not along a centerline axis of thenapkin 100. Instead, the first fold 104 is located closer to the edge112 than to the edge 116 as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the napkin 100is off-folded and includes the off-fold 102 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In one particular example, the panels or parts 128, 132 are one-halfinch longer (from top to bottom in FIG. 1) than the panels 136, 140 inorder to provide the one-half inch off-fold 102. The first fold 104 isone-half inch closer to the edge 112 than it is to the edge 116 in thisexample shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, and as shown in FIG. 2, the napkin100 may thus be folded along the first fold 104 into unequal parts suchthat the napkin 100 has a one-half inch off-fold 102 in this example.

Continuing with this example, the panels or parts 128, 132, 136, 140 mayall have about the same width (from left to right in FIG. 1). And, thesecond fold 108 may be along or coincident with a centerline axis of thenapkin 100 such that the second fold 108 is equidistant from the edges120, 124 in this example shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the napkin100 may be folded a second time along the second fold line 108 after ithas been folded along the first fold line 104. The folding of the napkin100 along the second fold 108 may align or substantially align the edges120, 124 such that there is not a significantly sized off-fold (e.g., nooff-fold, relatively small off-fold less than one-half inch, etc.)between the edges 120, 124.

FIGS. 1 through 3 show the exemplary manner by which the unfolded napkin100 may be folded. First, the napkin 100 (FIG. 1) is folded about thefirst fold 104 (FIG. 2) and then folded about the second fold 108 (FIG.3). Conversely, the closed, folded napkin 100 may also be opened by thereverse. That is, the folded, closed napkin 100 (FIG. 3) may first beunfolded about the second fold 108 (FIG. 2) and then unfolded about thefirst fold 104 to thereby fully open the napkin 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

Exemplary embodiments of the off-folded napkins may be manufactured andinterfolded by using conventional in-line converting machines formanufacturing and interfolding napkin products after modifying the same.By way of example, exemplary embodiments may include using and/ormodifying the web interfolding equipment such as that disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,291,479 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 3,285,599 to provide off-foldednapkin products. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,291,479 and3,285,599 are incorporated herein by reference.

An exemplary embodiment of a napkin disclosed herein (e.g., 100, 200,etc.) may first be folded in a first direction longitudinally orparallel in the machine direction, and then folded transversely in across direction. The machine direction, longitudinal folding may beaccomplished by using a technique generally referred to as plow folding.In this exemplary method, a paper web is pulled or drawn (e.g., viadriven feed rolls, etc.) from a roll over a stationary plow (e.g., foldpan or former, folding rods or guide bars, etc.). As the paper webtravels (e.g., under tension, etc.) over the plow, the plow folds thepaper web longitudinally along a line that is parallel to the directionof travel of the paper web.

With conventional plow folding, the paper roll, the stationary plow, andfeeding mechanism are specifically configured (e.g., located relative toeach other, etc.) such that the plow folds the paper web in half intoequal parts along the paper web's centerline, which centerline bisectsthe paper web and is parallel to the direction of travel of the paperweb. In contrast, the inventor hereof has developed and disclosesexemplary embodiments of modified plow folding processes for making hisoff-folded napkins. In an exemplary embodiment of one such modified plowfolding process, the plow, paper roll, and/or feed line are configured(e.g., intentionally misaligned, positioned relative to each other,etc.) such that the plow is not located along the centerline of thepaper roll. Instead, the plow is spaced apart from the centerline of thepaper roll so that the plow off-folds the paper web (e.g., off-folded byone half inch, one centimeter, etc.) as the paper web travels over thestationary plow.

In another exemplary embodiment, the off-fold is accomplished byintentionally misaligning the paper roll relative to the plow so thatthe longitudinal fold line created by the plow is not centered relativeto the paper web. Additionally, or alternatively, the feeding process(e.g., rollers, edge guide tracks, etc.) may be configured tocontrollably steer the paper web (e.g., controllably steer the paperoff-course and not merely due to some uncontrollable or uncertainvariation or manufacturing tolerance, etc.) so that the paper webarrives at the plow un-centered. Because the paper web is un-centered atthe plow, the plow off-folds the paper web in an exemplary embodiment.As yet a further example, the plow itself may be geometricallyconfigured (e.g., shaped, sized, etc.) to off-fold the paper web withouthaving to reposition or realign the paper roll or plow in an exemplaryembodiment.

After the paper web has been off-folded by one of the exemplaryprocesses described above, the off-folded paper web may then be cut(e.g., via a paper cutter, etc.) to form individual or discreet sheetsin an exemplary embodiment. Then, the sheets may be transferred to afolding section that includes mechanical folding cylinders or drums. Thesheets are folded transversely in the cross direction as the sheets aretransferred from one cylinder to another, thereby providing the sheetswith second fold lines or cross folds. Transfer of the folded sheets maytake place by grippers, pushers, and/or vacuum. The folded sheets may begrabbed by mechanical grippers and tuckers that overlap the sheets fromeach line of the machine and create an interfold at the interfold line.

The overlapped and interfolded sheets may be provided in a stackedarrangement. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a stack 144 of off-foldednapkins 100, which have been interfolded to form the stack 144. Thenapkins 100 in the stack 144 may each be off-folded to have an off-foldof one-half inch or about one-half inch. Each napkin 100 in the stack144 may or may not have the same off-fold equal to the off-fold of eachother napkin 100 in the stack 144. For example, there may be somemanufacturing tolerance and variability in the manufacturing process(e.g., a repeating drift in the folding operation, etc.), such that eachnapkin 100 does not include exactly the same off-fold. Instead, thenapkins 100 in the stack 144 may have off-folds falling within a range,e.g., four-tenths of an inch to six-tenths of an inch, etc.

Within the stack 144 of interfolded napkins 100, each napkin 100includes at least one pair of panels or parts that are disposed orsandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels or parts of another one ofthe napkins 100 in the stack 144. More specifically, this exemplaryembodiment includes each napkin 100 within the stack 144 receivingbetween its two inwardly facing adjacent parts or panels a pair ofadjacent parts or panels from each of two napkins 100 disposedimmediately above and below it in the stack 144. Preferably, each napkin100 is detachable and/or entirely detached from the other napkins 100 inthe stack 144. Each napkin 100 is also oriented oppositely from eachpreceding and succeeding napkin 100 with the stack 144.

FIG. 5 illustrates a stack 144 of interfolded napkins 100 loaded into adispenser 148. Preferably, the napkins 100 and dispenser 148 areconfigured such that the napkins 100 will be dispensed or drawn one at atime during regular use. While a user may be able to remove more than asingle napkin by improperly using the dispenser 148, the configurationof the napkins 100 and dispenser 148 inhibits users from removing morethan one napkin 100 at a time from the dispenser 148. As shown in FIG.5, only a portion of a single napkin 100 extends or protrudes out of thedispensing opening 152 in the faceplate 156 of the dispenser 148 at agiven time. When that protruding portion is grabbed by a user and thenapkin 100 is pulled out of the dispenser 148, a portion of the nextsucceeding napkin 149 immediately below in the stack 144 is repositionedso that it extends or protrudes out of the dispensing opening 152.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more(but not necessarily any or all) of the following advantages. Forexample, the dispenser 148 and interfolded napkins 100 may be configuredto provide one napkin-at-a-time dispensing, which, in turn, may provideup to a fifty percent reduction in napkin usage when compared to usageof smaller tall fold styles and up to a thirty percent reduction innapkin usage when compared to usage of larger standard styles. Thisexemplary one-at-a-time napkin dispensing configuration may help ensurethat patrons use fewer napkins and touch only the napkin they use, thusimproving personal hygiene. This exemplary one-at-a-time dispensing mayhelp decrease consumption, thus reducing the number of napkins needed tobe stored at a restaurant, etc.

By way of example only, the napkins 100 may be provided in a case, suchas six thousand napkins per case in which there are twelve stacks orpacks each with five hundred interfolded napkins. The napkins 100 may beconfigured such that one thousand five hundred fifty of such cases mayfit within a standard forty foot container. Dimensionally, the napkin100 may be configured with a rectangular configuration having a longside measuring 12.5 inches (or thereabout) and a short side measuring8.25 inches (or thereabout) when unfolded and opened. When fully foldedand closed, the napkin 100 may still have a rectangular configurationand have a long side measuring 6.5 inches (or thereabout) and a shortside measuring 4.125 inches (or thereabout). Accordingly, this exemplaryembodiment of the napkin 100 when folded includes one fold 108 thatbisects the napkin 100 into equal (or about equal) parts where the fold108 is equidistant or equally spaced from each of the napkin's edge 120,124. In one example embodiment, the fold 108 is 4.125 inches (orthereabout) from each of the napkin's edges 120, 124 parallel to thatfold 108. The other fold 104, however, is an off-fold that does notbisect the napkin 100 into equal parts. Instead, this off-fold 102 is 6inches (or thereabout) from one napkin edge 112 parallel to the off-fold102 and 6.5 inches (or thereabout) from the opposite edge 116, thuscreating an off-fold of one-half inch (or thereabout). For example, FIG.6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an off-folded napkin 200 havingan off-fold 202 of one-half inch.

These specific dimensions and other specific numerical values providedin this paragraph (and elsewhere in this application) are exemplary innature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Alternativeembodiments may include napkins or other absorbent sheet products thatare configured differently (e.g., larger, smaller, made from differentmaterials, etc.).

A wide range of materials may be used for the napkins or other absorbentsheet products disclosed herein. By way of example only, exemplaryembodiments include off-folded napkins formed from VirginSugarcane-Bagasse/Bright White or Natural/Kraft. Alternative embodimentsmay include napkins or other absorbent sheet products formed from othersuitable paper and non-paper materials.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of paper napkins. But otherexemplary embodiments may include other absorbent sheet products, suchas facial tissues, paper towels, among other paper and non-paperproducts, cloth products, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes means (e.g., aplow, etc.) for forming a first fold in an absorbent sheet product thatextends in a first linear direction between a first pair of oppositeedges of the absorbent sheet product and that is about one-half inchcloser to one edge of the first pair of opposite edges than to the otheredge. The system also generally includes means (e.g., mechanical foldingcylinders or drums, etc.) for forming a second fold in the absorbentsheet product that extends in a second linear direction between a secondpair of opposite edges of the absorbent sheet product. The second lineardirection is generally perpendicular to the first linear direction. Thefirst and second folds are configured to allow the absorbent sheet to befoldable about the first and second folds such that there is an off-foldof about one-half inch between the first pair of opposite edges.

The means for forming a first fold may comprise a plow configured tofold a paper web as the paper web travels over the plow. The plow mayform the first fold in the paper web plow longitudinally along a linethat is parallel to the direction of travel of the paper web. The plowmay be intentionally misaligned with a centerline of the paper web suchthat the paper web travels un-centered over the plow to thereby createthe off-fold; and/or the paper web may be controllably steered to arriveat the plow un-centered such that the paper web travels un-centered overthe plow to thereby create the off-fold; and/or the plow may begeometrically configured to create the off-fold without having toreposition or realign the paper roll relative to the plow.

The system may further include means for cutting (e.g., paper cutter,etc.) the off-folded paper web into sheets; means for transferring(e.g., grippers, pushers, and/or vacuum, etc.) the sheets to a foldingsection including first and second mechanical folding cylinders; andmeans for folding (e.g., mechanical folding cylinders or drums, etc.)the sheets transversely in a cross direction as the sheets aretransferred from the first mechanical folding cylinder to the secondmechanical folding cylinder to thereby form the second fold in thesheets.

The absorbent sheet products may comprise off-folded paper napkins eachhaving an off-fold of about one-half inch. A stack of absorbent sheetproducts may be loaded into a dispenser from which the absorbent sheetproducts are dispensable one-at-a-time.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes means (e.g., aplow, etc.) for folding an absorbent sheet product about a first foldinto a single-folded configuration. The first fold extends in a firstlinear direction between a first pair of opposite edges of the absorbentsheet product. The first fold is about one-half inch closer to one edgeof the first pair of opposite edges than to the other edge. The systemalso generally includes means (e.g., mechanical folding cylinders ordrums, etc.) for folding the absorbent sheet product having thesingle-folded configuration about a second fold such that the absorbentsheet product has a quarter-folded or cross-folded configuration. Thesecond fold extends in a second linear direction between a second pairof opposite edges of the absorbent sheet product. The second lineardirection is generally perpendicular to the first linear direction. Thesecond pair of opposite edges is substantially aligned. There is anoff-fold of about one-half inch between the first pair of oppositeedges.

The means (e.g., a plow, etc.) for folding an absorbent sheet productabout a first fold may comprise a plow configured to fold a paper web asthe paper web travels over the plow. The plow may form the first fold inthe paper web plow longitudinally along a line that is parallel to thedirection of travel of the paper web. The plow may be intentionallymisaligned with a centerline of the paper web such that the paper webtravels un-centered over the plow to thereby create the off-fold; and/orthe paper web may be controllably steered to arrive at the plowun-centered such that the paper web travels un-centered over the plow tothereby create the off-fold; and/or the plow may be geometricallyconfigured to create the off-fold without having to reposition orrealign the paper roll relative to the plow.

The system may further include means for cutting (e.g., paper cutter,etc.) the off-folded paper web into sheets; and means for transferring(e.g., grippers, pushers, and/or vacuum, etc.) the sheets to a foldingsection including first and second mechanical folding cylinders. Themeans for folding the absorbent sheet product having the single-foldedconfiguration about a second fold may comprise a first mechanicalfolding cylinder and a second mechanical folding cylinder that areoperable for folding the sheets transversely in a cross direction as thesheets are transferred from the first mechanical folding cylinder to thesecond mechanical folding cylinder.

The system may be operable for folding a plurality of absorbent sheetproducts about the first and second folds; and for forming a stack ofthe plurality of absorbent sheet products in which the absorbent sheetproducts are interfolded to form the stack. The plurality of absorbentsheet products may comprise off-folded paper napkins each having anoff-fold of about one-half inch. The stack of absorbent sheet productsmay be loaded into the dispenser from which the absorbent sheet productsare dispensable one-at-a-time.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to havevalue A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned thatparameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges ofvalues for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping ordistinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value thatmight be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example,if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may haveother ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1 - 2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3,3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claimsinclude equivalents to values or quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent sheet product comprising: a firstpair of opposite edges; a second pair of opposite edges; a first foldextending in a first linear direction between the first pair of oppositeedges, the first fold about one-half inch closer to one edge of thefirst pair of opposite edges than to the other edge; and a second foldextending in a second linear direction between the second pair ofopposite edges where the second linear direction is generallyperpendicular to the first linear direction; whereby the absorbent sheetproduct is foldable about the first and second folds such that there isan off-fold of about one-half inch between the first pair of oppositeedges.
 2. The absorbent sheet product of claim 1, wherein the first foldis one-half inch closer to one edge of the first pair of opposite edgesthan to the other edge such that the off-fold between the first pair ofopposite edges is one-half inch.
 3. The absorbent sheet product of claim1, wherein the off-fold between the first pair of opposite edges is oneinch, one centimeter, or within a range from four-tenths of an inch tosix-tenths of an inch.
 4. The absorbent sheet product of claim 1,wherein the absorbent sheet product is foldable about the first andsecond folds into a quarter-folded or cross-folded configuration havingthe off-fold of about one-half inch between the first pair of oppositeedges.
 5. The absorbent sheet product of claim 1, wherein: the firstfold is an interfold that extends longitudinally in a machine direction;and the second fold is a cross fold that is perpendicular to theinterfold.
 6. The absorbent sheet product of claim 1, wherein: theabsorbent sheet product is a single ply paper napkin; and the single plypaper napkin is foldable about the first fold into a single-foldedconfiguration with the off-fold between the first pair of opposite edgesand thereafter foldable about the second fold, which is equidistant fromthe second pair of opposite edges, into a quarter-folded or cross-foldedconfiguration in which the second pair of opposite edges aresubstantially aligned and where the off-fold between the first pair ofopposite edges allows a user to more easily grasp and separate the firstpair of opposite edges, thereby allowing the user to more easily openthe paper napkin.
 7. The absorbent sheet product of claim 1, wherein:the absorbent sheet product includes four panels cooperatively definedby the first and second folds; and the first and second folds do notbisect the absorbent sheet product into four equally sized panels; thesecond fold is equidistant from the second pair of opposite edges; andthe absorbent sheet product when unfolded and opened has a rectangularconfiguration having a long side that is 12.5 inches, a short side thatis 8.25 inches, and the off-fold is one-half inch.
 8. A stack comprisinga plurality of absorbent sheet products interfolded with each other inthe stack, wherein each of the plurality of absorbent sheet productscomprises an absorbent sheet product of claim
 1. 9. A dispenser loadedwith the stack of absorbent sheet products of claim 8, wherein theabsorbent sheet products are dispensable one-at-a-time from thedispenser.
 10. A method comprising: folding an absorbent sheet productabout a first fold into a single-folded configuration, the first foldextending in a first linear direction between a first pair of oppositeedges of the absorbent sheet product, the first fold is about one-halfinch closer to one edge of the first pair of opposite edges than to theother edge; and folding the absorbent sheet product having thesingle-folded configuration about a second fold such that the absorbentsheet product has a quarter-folded or cross-folded configuration, thesecond fold extending in a second linear direction between a second pairof opposite edges of the absorbent sheet product where the second lineardirection is generally perpendicular to the first linear direction;whereby the second pair of opposite edges is substantially aligned andthere is an off-fold of about one-half inch between the first pair ofopposite edges of about one-half inch.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein folding an absorbent sheet product about a first fold includesusing a plow to fold a paper web as the paper web travels over the plow,whereby the first fold is formed by the plow in the paper weblongitudinally along a line that is parallel to the direction of travelof the paper web, and wherein: the paper web travels un-centered overthe plow due to intentional misalignment of the plow and a centerline ofthe paper web to thereby create the off-fold; and/or the paper web iscontrollably steered to arrive at the plow un-centered such that thepaper web travels un-centered over the plow to thereby create theoff-fold; and/or the plow is geometrically configured to create theoff-fold without having to reposition or realign the paper roll relativeto the plow.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein after folding theabsorbent sheet product about the first fold, the method includes:cutting the off-folded paper web into sheets; transferring the sheets toa folding section including first and second mechanical foldingcylinders; and folding the sheets transversely in a cross direction asthe sheets are transferred from the first mechanical folding cylinder tothe second mechanical folding cylinder to thereby fold the absorbentsheet product having the single-folded configuration about the secondfold.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein folding the absorbent sheetproduct about the first and second folds comprises folding a pluralityof absorbent sheet products about the first fold and about the secondfold, which is equidistant from the second pair of opposite edges, suchthat the plurality of absorbent sheet products each has a quarter-foldedor cross-folded configuration; and the method further includes forming astack of the plurality of absorbent sheet products in which theabsorbent sheet products are interfolded to form the stack.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein: the absorbent sheet products compriseoff-folded paper napkins each having an off-fold of about one-half inch;and the method further includes loading the stack of absorbent sheetproducts into a dispenser in which the absorbent sheet products aredispensable one-at-a-time from the dispenser.
 15. A system comprising:means for folding an absorbent sheet product about a first fold into asingle-folded configuration, the first fold extending in a first lineardirection between a first pair of opposite edges of the absorbent sheetproduct, the first fold about one-half inch closer to one edge of thefirst pair of opposite edges than to the other edge; and means forfolding the absorbent sheet product having the single-foldedconfiguration about a second fold such that the absorbent sheet producthas a quarter-folded or cross-folded configuration, the second foldextending in a second linear direction between a second pair of oppositeedges of the absorbent sheet product where the second linear directionis generally perpendicular to the first linear direction; whereby thesecond pair of opposite edges is substantially aligned and there is anoff-fold of about one-half inch between the first pair of oppositeedges.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the system comprises a paperweb, and the means for folding an absorbent sheet product about a firstfold comprises a plow configured to fold the paper web as the paper webtravels over the plow whereby the first fold is formed by the plow inthe paper web longitudinally along a line that is parallel to thedirection of travel of the paper web.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein: the plow is intentionally misaligned with a centerline of thepaper web such that the paper web travels un-centered over the plow tothereby create the off-fold; and/or the paper web is controllablysteered to arrive at the plow un-centered such that the paper webtravels un-centered over the plow to thereby create the off-fold; and/orthe plow is geometrically configured to create the off-fold withouthaving to reposition or realign the paper roll relative to the plow. 18.The system of claim 16, wherein: the system includes means for cuttingthe off-folded paper web into sheets, and means for transferring thesheets to a folding section including first and second mechanicalfolding cylinders; and the means for folding the absorbent sheet producthaving the single-folded configuration about a second fold comprises afirst mechanical folding cylinder and a second mechanical foldingcylinder that are operable for folding the sheets transversely in across direction as the sheets are transferred from the first mechanicalfolding cylinder to the second mechanical folding cylinder.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the system is operable for: folding aplurality of absorbent sheet products about the first fold and about thesecond fold, which is equidistant from the second pair of oppositeedges; and forming a stack of the plurality of absorbent sheet productsin which the absorbent sheet products are interfolded to form the stack.20. The system of any one of claim 19, wherein: the plurality ofabsorbent sheet products comprise off-folded paper napkins each havingan off-fold of about one-half inch; and the stack of absorbent sheetproducts are loaded into a dispenser from which the absorbent sheetproducts are dispensable one-at-a-time.